Integrated circuit incorporating rf antenna switch and power amplifier

Abstract

A novel integrated circuit incorporating a transmit/receive antenna switch capable of being integrated using silicon based RF CMOS semiconductor processes and a power amplifier on the same substrate. The switch circuit is constructed whereby the substrate (i.e. bulk) terminals of the FETs are left floating thus improving the isolation and reducing the insertion loss of the switch. Floating the substrate of the transistors eliminates most of the losses caused by leakage paths through parasitic capacitances internal to the transistor thus improving the isolation and reducing the insertion loss of the switch. Alternatively, the substrate can be connected to the source or to ground via a resistor of sufficiently high value to effectively float the substrate.